Play for Me by Libby Hubscher – Review & Giveway
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Description:
When her new job takes her to a New England boarding school, she’s surprised to find her roommates are all men – including a very handsome one who plays by his own rules.
Sophie Doyle has her dream job as the head athletic trainer for her favorite baseball team (go Red Sox!), a handsome boyfriend, and easy access to the finest cannoli in Boston. When she loses all three and the World Series to boot, she’s forced to apply for the open trainer position at an arts-focused boarding school in New Hampshire. The only available room is a glorified closet in an apartment with three guys: Jonas Voss, the aloof and attractive orchestra teacher, and his two rambunctious roommates.
Sophie knows that training a bunch of privileged high school kids whose idea of a play is A Chorus Line instead of a walk-off homer is going to be a big change from the pro athletes she’s used to. She wasn’t expecting that these students would have big-time talent and even bigger-time problems. Sophie has troubles of her own—Jonas is a full-fledged grump who clearly doesn’t want her near him or the precious piano he never plays.
With sunny optimism, Sophie sets out to win over Jonas and help the kids she’s growing attached to. But when her relationship with Jonas moves to the major leagues and plans change at the end of the season, they have to choose whether they are playing for keeps.
Review:
Play For Me by Libby Hubscher is a sweet fun romantic standalone novel. We meet Sophie Doyle, our heroine, at the start, when she is fired from her job as head trainer for the Boston Red Sox, after she made the decision to not allow the team’s star pitcher to play due to an injury. The Red Sox lost the World Series, and Sophie, despite her making the correct decision lost her job, as well as her boyfriend. Sophie, with help from her friend, Astrid, accepts a job at a school in New Hampshire, to be their sports therapist/trainer.
When she arrives at the school, the only room opening is an apartment with three guys, Andy, Ravi and Jonas. Sophie is given a room, which is a bit small, but she is satisfied; until Jonas, who is the orchestra teacher, is nasty and tells her not to touch the piano. Andy and Ravi were wonderful, especially since they are a gay couple; they do tell Sophie to ignore Jonas’s behavior.
Jonas, our hero, is totally grumpy with Sophie, but in a short time, she begins to open the walls he has built around him. Sophie learns about his damaged hand, that does not allow him to play the piano, with doctors diagnosing his disability, and his unwilling to discuss it. Sophie is very knowledgeable about all kinds of injuries, and is determined to find a way to fix Jonas’s issue. They begin to work together, with Jonas doing everything Sophie shows him, and soon their relationship fully changes, with Jonas opening up his heart, falling in love with Sophie. The chemistry between them was hot, and I loved them together. It was great to watch Sophie work hard in helping Jonas, as well as a young violinist, who was also an amazing pitcher, with a future in both fields.
Play For Me was a wonderful enemy to lovers’ story, with a wonderful couple, fun secondary characters. Sophie was a fantastic heroine, who was always sweet, friendly, competitive, determined, and good at what she does. The banter between Sophie and Jonas was great, especially once their feelings escalated. Play for Me was a fun romantic story, so very well written by Libby Hubscher. I fully recommend the you read this book.
Reviewed by Barb
Copy provided by Publisher
Libby Hubscher’s publisher, Berkley, is offering a paper copy of Play For Me to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe
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8. Giveaway runs from June 19th to 23rd, 2023
